Abstract

BYOD and F/OSS is a growing trend that over the past eight years has changed the landscape of most learning institutions. BYOD is the use of personal technology devices in the classroom to enhance the learning. F/OSS is free or open source software that can be used in classes to accentuate the learning, and enhance student productivity. The earliest presence of BYOD and F/OSS was seen on the college/university level. Higher-level learning institutions quickly adopted technology use and allowed students to incorporate their devices in the classroom quickly. Now most college and universities expect their students to purchase and bring technology with them in class to enhance the learning environment. Most professors require their students to interact with them in a digital format, including assessments. Unfortunately we have not seen the same pace in adoption and overall use of technology in grades K-12. Typically in education there exists a multi-year gap in technology device age and usage, but the large difference in this gap between primary and higher education is creating a significant disadvantage for our graduating high school seniors. One of the biggest factors that keep 1-to-1, or BYOD from fully being utilized in K-12 education are school budgets. The great news here however is that devices are becoming cheaper and cheaper and running free and open source software on these devices allows them to be a powerful learning tool overcoming the budget obstacle. BYOD with F/OSS can be used in every classroom, every grade level, and subject enhancing the learning that already goes on. By introducing BYOD coupled with F/OSS schools are addressing effective technology use, keeping budgets in check, while arming their students with 21st century college and career skills.


Keywords: BYOD, 1-to-1 device initiative, F/OSS, Open Source Software